BATAVIA, N.Y. — If you are interested in becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County will be offering Master Gardener training this fall.  Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 9 pm, starting September 5 and running through November 14.  There will also be a full day of classes on Saturday, November 3.  Classes will be held at the CCE office at 420 East Main Street, Batavia.

Each class will focus on a different horticulture topic throughout the training.  Some of the horticulture topics we will cover include: botany, diagnosing plant diseases, entomology, soils & fertilizers, lawn care, herbs, vegetable gardening, weed identification, woody ornamentals, pruning, tree and small fruits, perennials, annuals, integrated pest management and organic gardening.  By attending the Master Gardener training, you will become a more knowledgeable gardener.

Anyone interested in learning more about gardening may attend the course.  Pre-registration by August 24 is required.  Class size will be limited.  No walk-ins will be allowed.  The fee for this horticulture training is $225 per person, which includes all class sessions and materials.  The Cornell Master Gardener manual is available on line.

If you have a passion for volunteering and gardening, this training is the first step to becoming a Genesee County Master Gardener volunteer.  Graduates of the program (Genesee county residents) are then eligible to apply to become a volunteer.  (Other county residents should contact their local Master Gardener program.)  A Master Gardener volunteer should have a willingness to give back to the community and help put into practice what they learned at training.  Enthusiasm for sharing their gardening skills and knowledge is a must.

For an application or to register contact Brandie Waite at 585-343-3040, ext. 101, visit our website: genesee.cce.cornell.edu or stop by the Extension office located at 420 East Main Street in Batavia.

–Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County

For more articles out of New York, click here.